Italy, Montanaro. Bonifacio Ferrero, Commendatory Abbot of San Benigno di Fruttuaria. 1529-1543. Testone (Silver, 31mm, 9.07 g 2). ☩B.F.CAR.IIPOR.ABAS.S.BENIG. Bust of Cardinal Ferrero to right, wearing ecclesiastical robes. Rev. S BENIGNVS MARTIR ☩ (trefoil stops) St. Benignus seated facing, raising right hand in benediction and holding palm in his left. CNI II, p. 359, 3. Fr.-. MIR 849. RM 1. Very rare. Toned and with some earthen deposits. Good very fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Monnaies et Médailles 39, 9 May 1969, 145 and M. Ratto, 5 May 1959, 67, and from the collection of Conte Alessandro Magnaguti, VI, Santamaria 28 January 1954, 176.

Bonifacio Ferrero (1476-1543) was named Cardinal by Leo X in 1517, and held the Abbey of Fruttuaria (and its mint at Montanaro) as Commendatory Abbot. This practice allowed outsiders to have control of the revenues of a religious institution but not to have power over its inner workings. Needless to say, such positions were often abused; commendatory rights were greatly checked by Gregory XIII and Innocent X.